We have been talking about this for some time…the need for a trailer.
We have just finished an amazing Fat Bike season which kept the groomer crew busy. We had to rent a trailer to transport the groomer to the Forest which cost us $1600. Luckily we received enough support through donations over the winter to cover that cost plus fuel and groomer repairs.
This spring we have been out to replace a trail that was getting very eroded and unsafe (sandy downhill switchbacks). We have spent three days with a great group of TVGers (also Friends of the Dufferin County Forest) completing this reroute. This meant that we had to move a substantial amount of equipment to the Forest on three different occasions…in my car and meant requiring us to load and unload three times. Transporting equipment in our vehicles has been the routine in the past during all the trail builds and clean ups after logging. If you would like to see what’s ahead for us keep an eye out for the trees beside the trail with orange or yellow markings. Those trees and areas are going to be harvested in the near future which means we will be required to haul equipment again.
To avoid the annual $1600 trailer rental and to make trail maintenance more efficient we are hoping to purchase a trailer this year.
The one we would like to purchase is an all aluminum, 6×10 trailer. This is the perfect size for our trail maintenance equipment and the groomer. Aluminum is light weight and durable. Set up with cabinets, hooks, storage organizers, the total cost is $7800.
As we are not funded by any other sources this is up to us. We do have an application submitted with Central Counties Tourism. If approved they will fund up to 40% of the project. We will not hear back until May and our need is immediate (as trailer has a ordering lead time) so we thought we would start fundraising now.
I cannot say enough about the generosity we have seen from users over the years. It has allowed us to purchase equipment, keep it serviced and fuelled, pay our insurance and feed volunteers on trail build days. This has allowed us to keep trails well maintained and continue to add improvements and make things better for everyone (in three years we have gone from grooming 10km’s of Fat Bike trails to 35km’s).
For this one-time large purchase we are turning to our community and asking for their assistance. If you wish to help out we are open to any amount. Everything contributed through this funding drive will go directly towards the trailer. If you wish to help, simply hit the “DONATE” tab up to the right.
This will take you to our Paypal account. Please include your name and that it’s for the trailer in the comment area.
Thank you for considering supporting our Trailer Funding Drive & enjoy the trails.
